Villain Ch 164. Am I That Special?
The lunch had come to an end, leaving their bellies full. Fuelled by curiosity, they decided to swing by Alice's shop. Allen tagged along to find out what had brought them all together.
Once they stepped into the shop, their eyes were immediately drawn to a sleek, cutting-edge device on display. It was the latest virtual reality (VR) gadget to hit the market, and its design was nothing short of mind-blowing. This one looked like a piece of tech straight out of a sci-fi movie.
But this VR device wasn't geared towards multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs). No, this one was all about the RPG experience, transporting players to a medieval world something similar to the popular game Hell's Gate. Alice explained that the game company had just released the device that very day, hoping to capitalize on the immense success of Hell's Gate and give players a taste of that same exhilaration.
According to Alice, the game company had taken note of how Hell's Gate had exploded in popularity within a matter of days, and they wanted to ride the coattails of that success. They boldly claimed that their new game utilized the same groundbreaking artificial intelligence (AI) technology that had made Hell's Gate such a sensation.
With an air of excitement and curiosity, they made the unanimous decision to give the new VR device a try, eager to compare it to Hell's Gate. Hopes were high as they eagerly strapped on their headsets and prepared to embark on a new adventure.
However, their enthusiasm quickly waned as they delved deeper into the game. After just a few minutes of playing, they found themselves in agreement about one thing: the game fell short of their expectations. The thrill they had come to expect from immersive RPG experiences was lacking a certain kick. It was as if the game developers had played it safe, adhering to rigid rules and failing to inject the necessary excitement.
One of the glaring issues they encountered was the lackluster response of the non-playable characters (NPCs). In a world where advanced AI technology was supposed to shine, the NPCs felt disappointingly stiff and reminiscent of the old-school RPG games of yesteryear. The conversations with them felt scripted and lacked the dynamic interactions they had become accustomed to in other virtual realms.
Despite their dissatisfaction, they couldn't help but acknowledge that the new VR game might have its appeal for newcomers or teenagers just starting their gaming journey. It had a certain simplicity and straightforwardness that might resonate with a different audience. But for seasoned gamers, professionals, and those addicted to immersive virtual experiences, this game was simply not up to par.
Just as they were discussing their disappointments, Shea arrived to join them. With a quick exchange of pleasantries and a brief chat about the game, they collectively decided that it was time to call it a day and return to their homes.
With the 'accidental' encounter behind him, Allen made his way back to his apartment, his mind still buzzing with the lingering effects of their time together. It was impossible to ignore the subtle shift in the way the girls treated him. Though he couldn't quite put his finger on it, there was a noticeable change in their demeanor.
They didn't sugarcoat him or say sweet things to him. It was more like admiration… or something as if they tried to give him some comfort. Allen couldn't quite pinpoint the exact nature of this change, but one thing was clear—it had a positive effect on him.
He stepped into his apartment. The familiar scent of his living space enveloped him. He casually shrugged off his jacket and kicked off his shoes, eager to slip into the comfort of his home clothes.
Although Allen wanted to dive straight into the virtual realm, however, this time, he decided to take a different approach. He felt a sudden surge of motivation to tidy up his living space and tackle the ever-growing pile of laundry that had accumulated over the week. After all, with no one else to rely on, the responsibility of maintaining a clean and organized home fell squarely on his shoulders. And it usually didn't take more than an hour to finish all of that.
The silence that enveloped Allen's apartment allowed his thoughts to wander freely, delving into the depths of his recent experiences and pinpointing the details he may have overlooked. His mind raced, connecting the dots between his infiltration of Elio's guild, the unexpected encounter with figures from his past, and the seemingly coincidental meeting with the girls. The pieces of the puzzle started to align, and a question emerged, demanding his attention.
As he folded his laundry, his hands pausing mid-motion, a furrow formed on his forehead—a telltale sign of deep contemplation. A sudden realization struck him like a bolt of lightning. "Wait a minute... how did they find out Elio is Mac's player before I explain it to them?" he muttered, a tinge of confusion lacing his words.
In the midst of their earlier conversation, the revelation had gone unnoticed. The girls had briefly mentioned their knowledge of Elio's in-game identity, and at the time, Allen had been too preoccupied with strategizing for their upcoming plans to fully grasp the significance of their revelation. But now, upon reflection, something seemed off. It was as if the girls had known more than they let on as if they had already uncovered the truth before he had a chance to disclose it.
A faint smile slowly curved his lips as a daring hypothesis crossed his mind. A wave of strange excitement washed over him, mingling with the realization that the girls had been keeping secrets from him, hiding their knowledge of his past. It was a peculiar mix of emotions—a blend of intrigue, curiosity, and the undeniable feeling of being uniquely important to them.
"So, you've been digging into my past all along..." he murmured, the words escaping his lips almost inaudibly. "Am I really that special to all of you?"
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